Bronchoscope adapter and method

ABSTRACT

A bronchoscope adapter is configured for one hand operation by providing a slide lock that is captured within a housing and a retaining nut that can be operated with a single finger or thumb. Rotation of the retaining nut is eased by isolating rotational force from a compression block with a spacer ring.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/975,784, filed Sep. 27, 2007 entitled Bronchoscope Adapter, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bronchoscopy and, in particular adapters and bronchoscopy-related accessories for use when performing surgical procedures using a bronchoscope.

The most common interventional procedure in the field of pulmonary medicine is bronchoscopy, in which a bronchoscope is inserted into the airways through the patient's nose or mouth. The structure of a bronchoscope generally includes a long, thin, flexible tube that typically contains three elements: an illumination assembly for illuminating the region distal to the bronchoscope's tip via an optical fiber connected to an external light source; an imaging assembly for delivering back a video image from the bronchoscope's distal tip; and a lumen or working channel through which instruments may be inserted, including but not limited to diagnostic (e.g., biopsy tools) and therapeutic (e.g., laser, cryo or RF tissue elimination probes) instruments. The distal tip of a bronchoscope is steerable. Rotating a lever placed at the handle of the bronchoscope actuates a steering mechanism which deflects the tip in one or more directions.

Bronchoscopies are performed by expert pulmonologists, also known as bronchoscopists, and are used routinely in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as lung cancer, airway stenosis, and emphysema. Bronchoscopies are typically performed by a staff of at least two persons: the bronchoscopist and at least one assistant, usually a nurse. During a typical procedure, the bronchoscopist holds the bronchoscope handle with one hand and the bronchoscope tube with the other hand. He or she manipulates the distal tip of the bronchoscope inside the lung by rotating a deflection lever and by pushing and pulling the tube. Once the tip is brought to a target, a bronchoscope tool can be inserted into the working channel to perform a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure.

During insertion and operation of the bronchoscopic tool, the distal tip of the bronchoscope should be held steady at the target. Performing all of these tasks concurrently often requires the hands of more than one person. Two hands are needed to secure the bronchoscope in place, and one to two more hands are needed for inserting and actuating the bronchoscopic tool. Performing a procedure that requires two people is generally more expensive and the potential for error is increased. Hence, it is desirable to modify a procedure so that it may be performed with one or two hands, if possible.

Of particular relevance to the present invention is a device and method described in PCT Patent Publication No. WO 03/086498 entitled “Endoscope Structure and Techniques for Navigation in Branched Structure” to Gilboa, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This patent application describes a method and apparatus in which a locatable guide (“LG”), enveloped by a sheath, is used to navigate a bronchoscopic tool to a location within the lung. The LG/sheath combination is inserted into the lung via the working channel of a bronchoscope. Once the tip of the guide is located at its target, a lock, which is placed at the orifice (“connection port”) of the bronchoscope's working channel, is operated to prevent the sheath from sliding in or out of the bronchoscope. The guide is then withdrawn from the sheath, leaving the sheath in place to guide a tool to the required target location.

One of the many tools often used with a bronchoscope is a vacuum pump. A vacuum pump is used to clear mucus from the airways. In order for the vacuum pump to work properly, it must be attached to the bronchoscope using a connector that will form a seal with the proximal orifice of the working channel. Hence, when transitioning from the use of a locatable guide to the use of a vacuum pump or other tools, a sealing device must be unlocked during the tool exchange and then locked down onto the tool prior to use.

Additionally, because all of the tools used with a bronchoscope are necessarily long and slender, they are inherently flimsy when unsupported. Thus, inserting a tool into a bronchoscope can be difficult or impossible to do quickly with one hand. While this problem can be addressed easily by holding the end of the sheath in one hand and the tool in another, this would again require additional free hands during performance of the procedure.

In order to facilitate operation of a system such as described in the aforementioned application by a single practitioner, it would be preferable to allow the practitioner to temporarily release his or her grip on a secondary tool or device used via the working channel of the bronchoscope. At the same time, it is preferable that the device remains immediately accessible and operable, and does not hang loosely.

There is therefore a need for an adaptor for use with a bronchoscope which would facilitate operation of a bronchoscope and associated tools by a single practitioner. It would also be advantageous to provide an adapter for the connection port of the working channel of a bronchoscope which would perform both the sealing and tool-locking functions without requiring replacement of an attachment during the procedure. It would further be advantageous to provide an arrangement according to the teachings of the aforementioned PCT patent publication which would further facilitate insertion of tools into the guide sheath.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adaptor for use on a bronchoscope handle when performing surgical procedures using a bronchoscope.

One aspect of the present invention provides a sealing and locking adapter for attachment to an access port of a working channel of a bronchoscope to allow insertion and locking of a tool while sealing the access port when not in use. The adapter comprises a housing configured for mating with the access port of the working channel of the bronchoscope. A sealing arrangement deployed within the housing and a clamping arrangement deployed within the housing lock a tool inserted through the housing and into the working channel in position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art bronchoscope adapter;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a prior art bronchoscope adapter being placed on a bronchoscope handle;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a prior art bronchoscope adapter placed on a bronchoscope handle;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a bronchoscope adapter of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded cutaway perspective view of the bronchoscope adapter of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an assembled cutaway perspective view of the bronchoscope adapter of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to Figures, and first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bronchoscope adapter known in the prior art is shown. The bronchoscope adapter 1 attaches to an access port 2 leading to a working channel 3 inside of a bronchoscope handle 4. The adapter 1 allows the insertion and locking of a tool (not shown) and serves to seal the access port 2 when not in use. The prior art adapter 1 includes a housing 5 configured for mating with the access port 2. The housing 5 is first positioned so as to envelop the access port 2 (FIG. 2 a), and then a forked key 6 is inserted into a slot 7 to attach and maintain contact pressure between the adapter 1 and an input orifice 8 that leads to the working channel 3 (FIG. 2 b). These prior art devices and methods are described in detail in PCT Patent Publication No. WO05/025635 entitled “System of Accessories for Use with Bronchoscopes” to Greenburg et al., which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Tools are insertable into the working channel 3 through the input orifice 8. The working channel 3 extends through the entire length of the bronchoscope. The working channel 3 is connectable to a vacuum pump (not shown) or other source of suction through a valve 9 and a second connector 10. For the suction to work properly, the adapter 1 must be sealed. When the valve 9 is pressed open, the pump applies suction through the working channel 3. A gasket fitting 11 is incorporated at the entrance of the working channel 3 on which a rubber gasket can be attached for sealing the orifice 8.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, there is shown a bronchoscope adapter 20 of the present invention. The bronchoscope adapter 20 generally includes a housing 22 a clamping block 40, a port seal 60, retainer nut 80, and a slide lock 100.

The housing 22 generally includes a female connector 24 and a male connector 26. The female connector 24 is shaped to fit over the gasket fitting 11 on the access port 2 of a bronchoscope handle. Preferably, the female connector 24 includes an interference surface 28 which abuts against a corresponding surface of the bronchoscope handle and prevents the housing 22 from rotating when it is attached to the access port 2. The female connector 24 also defines a transverse slot 30 through which the slide lock 100 is slidingly housed.

The male connector 26 includes an external thread 32 that engages the retaining nut 80 and defines an inner lumen 34. The male connector 26 mates with the retaining nut 80 and allows the retaining nut 80 to compress the clamping block 40 between the retaining nut 80 and the housing 22.

The clamping block 40 is an elastomeric component constructed of an elastomeric material such as rubber or silicon, or any other appropriate elastomeric material. The clamping block 40 defines an inner lumen 42 and resides partially within the inner lumen 34 of the male connector 26 of the housing 22 and partially within the retaining nut 80. The inner lumen 42 of the clamping block 40 has a first diameter when the clamping block 40 is in an uncompressed state. The first diameter is sized to receive tools used with the bronchoscope. When the retaining nut 80 is tightened against the housing 22, the clamping block deforms, reducing the inner lumen 42 to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter such that a seal is formed against the tool.

The inner lumen 42 is interrupted by valve 44, which is elastically biased to a normally-closed state. The valve 44 blocks the passage of air through the clamping block when the access port 2 of a bronchoscope is not in use. When a tool is inserted through the inner lumen 42, the valve 44 is forced out of the way to an open position.

The clamping block 40 may include a beveled collar 46 radiating from its outer wall. The beveled collar 46 includes a beveled surface 48 and a flat surface 50. The flat surface 50 is configured to be acted upon by a spacer ring 52, which is, in turn, acted upon by the nut 80 when tightened. The spacer ring 52 is constructed of a rigid material such that it provides a surface against which the nut 80 may slide when rotated thereagainst. The spacer ring 52 thus reduces the degree to which rotational motion of the nut 80 is transmitted to the elastomeric material of the clamping block 40. The beveled surface 48 acts against a corresponding surface the housing 22 to prevent axial movement of the clamping block 40 when the nut 80 is tightened. The beveled surface 48 also transmits axial compression to an inward deformation of the central lumen 42 such that any tool disposed within the central lumen 42 is squeezed by the clamping block 40. Additionally, the central lumen 42 of the clamping block 40 may include a narrowing 54 to assist in forming a seal around a tool.

The port seal 60 is an elastomeric gasket that allows the female connector 24 of the housing 22 to form a seal against the gasket fitting 11 of the access port 2. The port seal 60, preferably, is shaped to snap-fit into a correspondingly shaped lip 62 of the housing 22. The seal 60 may be formed of the same material as the clamping block 40. The seal 60, however, is separate from the remaining components of the adapter 20. Separating the seal 60 from the rest of the adapter 20 further isolates any rotational force imparted by the retaining nut 80. This isolation ensures the seal between the bronchoscope adapter 20 and the access port 2 is not compromised. This isolation also facilitates easy turning of the nut 80.

The retaining nut 80 is a female component that has an internal thread 82 that corresponds to the thread 32 of the housing 22. The retaining nut 80 also forms an inner lumen 84 that receives a portion of the clamping block 40. Preferably, the inner lumen 84 is partially defined by an inner sleeve 88 that extends downwardly from the top of the retaining nut 80 and slides inside the inner lumen 34 of the housing 22 when the retaining nut 80 is mated with the housing 22. The inner sleeve 88 acts upon the spacer ring 52, which in turn presses the flat surface 50 of the beveled color 46 of the clamping block 40. The retaining nut 80 also includes an extension 86 that allows the nut 80 to be rotated with a single finger or thumb.

The slide lock 100 is constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid material and defines a longitudinal slot 102 that has a small circular end 104 and a larger circular end 106. The slide lock 100 is slidingly contained within the slot 30 of the housing 22. The larger circular end 106 is large enough to pass over the gasket fitting 11 of the access port 2 of the bronchoscope handle 4. Once in place over the gasket fitting 11, the slide lock 100 may be pushed to one side to a locked position whereby the small circular end 104 is engaged around the neck of the gasket fitting 11, thereby locking the housing 22 to the access port 2.

In operation, the ease of use of the improved bronchoscope assembly 20 becomes readily apparent. With one hand, a physician is able to grab the housing 22 of the bronchoscope assembly 20 and place it over the access port 2 of the bronchoscope handle. With one finger, the slide lock 100 is slid to a locked position, thereby securing the bronchoscope assembly 20 to the bronchoscope. Inserting a tool into the working channel 3 through the bronchoscope adapter 20 is also simplified due to the easy-turning design of the nut 80.

Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, in the context of a bronchoscope and bronchoscopic tools, it should be appreciated that other applications using other type of endoscopes and endoscopic tools also fall within the scope of the present invention. One of ordinary skill in the art, in light of the teaching, can generate embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof. 

I claim:
 1. An adapter for a bronchoscope comprising: a housing; a retaining nut configured to mate with said housing, said retaining nut having an inner sleeve that extends downwardly from the top of said retaining nut; a clamping block including an inner lumen and a beveled collar radiating from an outer wall of the clamping block, said beveled collar including a beveled surface and a substantially flat surface, said beveled surface of the beveled collar mating with a beveled surface of the housing to limit axial movement of the clamping block, and wherein tightening said retaining nut against said housing compresses said inner lumen, reducing a diameter thereof via the interaction of the beveled surface of the beveled collar and the beveled surface of the housing; and a spacer ring positioned to contact the substantially flat surface of the beveled collar, said spacer ring having a sliding surface against which said retaining nut may slide when rotated there against thereby preventing the transmission of rotation force from said retaining nut to said clamping block.
 2. The adapter of claim 1 further comprising a gasket seal contained within said housing such that when said housing is placed over a gasket fitting of a bronchoscope access port, said gasket seal is compressed between said housing and said access port gasket fitting.
 3. The adapter of claim 1 wherein said housing defines a transverse slot.
 4. The adapter of claim 3 further comprising a slide lock contained within said transverse slot.
 5. The adapter of claim 4 wherein said slide lock defines a longitudinal slot having a small circular end and a larger circular end; wherein said larger circular end is sized to fit over a gasket fitting of a bronchoscope access port; wherein said smaller circular end is sized to engage a surface of said gasket fitting.
 6. The adapter for a bronchoscope of claim 1 wherein said retaining nut comprises an extension usable to tighten said retaining nut with a single finger or thumb.
 7. The adapter for a bronchoscope of claim 1 wherein said clamping block is elastomeric.
 8. The adapter for a bronchoscope of claim 1 wherein said spacer ring is constructed of a rigid material. 